Business leaders welcome City Deal for Plymouth

A GOVERNMENT deal to boost growth and claw back powers from Whitehall has been hailed as a chance for Plymouth to "control its own destiny".

Business leaders have welcomed the news that Plymouth has been chosen in the second wave of City Deals, which could see the city unlock developments, create local investment funds and take on more financial and planning powers.

Tim Jones, chairman of the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, said the move promises a "transformational step change".

He said: "We are delighted that Plymouth is one of the preferred areas in this highly competitive second wave of bids.

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"Despite enormous growth potential, Plymouth has been performing well below its true capacity for many years, and many reasons.

"The City Deal has meant we've all had to take a long hard look at the reasons for Plymouth's decline, whilst assessing the opportunities for the area to exploit its strengths and take control of its own destiny.

"This deal is not just about Plymouth – it's about a much wider area that can radiate the benefits across the entire peninsula.

"Plymouth has unique and fantastic marine assets – from the knowledge and research at the university, to clusters of internationally renowned companies along with outstanding sites alongside the waterfront.

"We also have some very committed and able partners in industry and academia who will be a vital part of achieving a long-term legacy.

"By capitalising on these resources we can build a much stronger proposition to both industry and government; one that will be able to deliver real growth and cultivate real ambition to succeed. It's a great step forward for all of us in the South West."

Details of the deal are still to be revealed, but Plymouth's plan aims to unlock commercial opportunities in marine sciences, renewable energy and other technologies, as well as boosting exports.

That includes supporting start-up marine science businesses, earmarking surplus Ministry of Defence land – such as Devonport's South Yard – for use by marine industries, and working with UK Trade and Investment to link firms to export markets.

Professor Wendy Purcell, vice-chancellor of Plymouth University, said the move was "a significant step forward" for the region.

She said: "The deal places the university's world-class marine and maritime expertise – focused around our cutting edge marine building and new facilities – at the heart of a knowledge-rich, research-intensive economic cluster. The City Deal draws on our established marine institute and the university's Growth Acceleration and Investment Network (GAIN) that's driving enterprise across Cornwall and Devon."

Oliver Colvile, Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said it would boost efforts to attract inward investment and re-balance the city's economy.

"It's building on our strengths," he said.

Rhian Kelly, director for business environment at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), said: "Giving cities the opportunity to bid for greater planning powers and autonomy over training and skills budgets should encourage investment in critical local infrastructure and help plug skills gaps.

"With three-quarters of the UK's business activity taking place in and around cities, they are hubs of economic activity. These deals will give cities real powers and resources which, if implemented well, will help to regenerate local economies, stimulating private investment and growth."

8 comments

Why not a ferry service to Cherbourg from Plymouth,this would give an easier connection to the European motorway system ,and would connect Plymouth nearer to the action in mainland Europe.The distance on the map is similar to the distance to Roscoff,and would give us better communications with the centres of commerce as well as giving tourists the chance to have a direct route into Normandy and for more tourists to gain direct access from Europe into Devon and Cornwall.This would give an important route into the far south west.If Brittany Ferries are not interested there are many more companies that may trial such a route. This just a suggestion but could be investigated as communications are a major problem in the economic performance of the city and hinterland.Surely a few phone calls and inquiries from the business sector and council could prove useful.

I also have to agree with "olddogbreath" regarding our communications.It is interesting to hear that Brittany Ferries have introduced a new route to Spain from Poole.I would like to see a service to Cherbourg from Plymouth as this would give a better connection with the European motorway system and give a more direct route to to eastern and central Europe.Roscoff is great for holidaymakers but the real economic benefits are in other parts of the continent.The mileage on the map looks about the same,and from the point of view of Plymouth would take us where the action is,as well as giving holiday makers a direct route into Normandy.If Brittany Ferries are not interested there are surely alternative companies that could be approached.It's worth a try and a few phone calls ,and will be another link in our trade with Europe

Like every other report on this story, there is a lot of management waffle about unlocking deals, hubs and maximising potential and so on. What's new? What's changed? What resources? Or is Plymouth just on a list of hopefuls?

Hmmm have to agree with you "olddogbreath" Plymouth may well of been chosen to become a regional economic hub but that economic crown will effectively continue to be held by Exeter,now our nearest airport given that PCC has just been refused government support to reopen Plymouth city airport.
Without major investment our rail link between Plymouth and Exeter by 21st century standards will always remain slow and indirect in comparison with the main rail links in rest of the country.The governments Great Western Rail franchise £5billion investment in new trains and electrification centred on the M5 corridor and due for completion in 2018 is coming no further west than Bristol.All we will get at best in Plymouth are just more second hand diesel trains displaced by electrification schemes elsewhere in the country to replace the even older HST trains now in use. Add to that a sub-standard A38 which is easily disrupted by accidents and it hard to see how Plymouth can overcome its historic connectivity issues from "within".
The phrase "fiddling while Rome burns" springs to mind here.

@olddogbreath
The lack of forward thinking, the smugness of having 20K employed in the dockyard (plus as many again supplying it) - meant Plymouth politicians did not have to do anything - the government effectively bankrolled the city for decades.
I don't want to hear Tim, Wendy or Oliver speaking. I want to know what the directors of the big companies that are left in Plymouth want for the City - I will listen and respect what they have to say.
I would think they would want - an m-way link, airport and faster rail links to the rest of the UK.
Oh, BF have just put on a new route to Spain via Poole - I wonder why they didn't choose Plymouth - the home of their headquarters?

No express rail line from Exeter west and no airport. How is the lack of transport infrastructure going to attract inward investment and re-balance the city's economy Mr Colville.
To be a hub of economic activity, one has to offer something special, not just a university at the end of the UK.